Recording device.



E.. H. CRONINGER.

RECORDING DEVICE.

APPLlcmsoN min APR. so, 1911.

1 ,263,530. Patented Apr. 23,1918i nfuawtoz attente@ "UNTED STATES PATNT QFFE.

RICHARD HENRY CRONINGER, OF OAKWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE DAYTON ADDING MACHINE t TIME LOCK COMPANY, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, A

CORPORATION 0F OHO.

REOORJING D Application tiled april 30, 191'?.

To all wwm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, R101-IARD HENRY lnoNiNGiiR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakwood, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Recording Devices, of which the 'following is a specification, reference being had therein 'to the accompanying drawing.

rlhis invention relates to recording devices and more par icularly to a device for placing upon a time record a mar.: to indicate whether the hour recorded was A M. or P M.

Time recording devices heretofore used have employed A. M. and 13. M. indicating mechanisms which were automatically controlled by the clock mechanism, but these mechanisms, for the most part at least, were of a complicated construction, comprising a large number of parts, which not only rendered the device expensive in production and difficult in maintenance, but also resulted in imposing so much ot a load on the clock mechanism as to cause a serious drag thereon which interfered with the accuracy of hoth the clock and the A. M. and P. M. mechanism.

rlhe object of the present invention is to provide a device of this kind which will be very simple in construction and operation, comprising but a few parts and having these parts or such a character that they can be easily produced, and will require no line adjustments to maintain the mechanism in an operative condition. lt is also an object of the invention to so construct and arrange the parts thereof that the operation of the same will add but little to the load on the clock mechanism, and will not interfere with its accuracy.

In the accompanying` drawings Figure l is a bottom plan view of a time recorder showing the form and the supporting device thereior; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the form, the A. M. and P. M. mechanism, and that part of the clock mechanism which actuates the 'forni and the A. M. and P. M mechanism; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line -m of Fig.`

2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed views show- Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

serial No. lessee.

ing modified arrangements of the A. M. and P. M. mechanism.

In carrying out my invention l employ a time recorder from which a record may be taken and l arrange adjacent to this time recorder a marking device which is movable into and out of position to make a mark upon the record when the impression is taken. rllhere may be either one or two of these marking devices. lf two are employed, one carries the letter A7 to indicate A. hi., and the other carries l to indicate i). M., and they are so arranged that only one oi them will be in printing position at one time,` and means are provided tor reversing their positions at noon and at midnight. If one marking device onlj,7 is employed the mark may be either A or Pf and it the mark is Af for example, the absence of any mark at all on the record will indicate that the hour recorded 'is l). M. rThe marking device, or devices, may be moved into and out ot operative position in any suitable manner, but I preferably employ an actuating bar or rod, which is engaged by a cam connected with the clock mechanism and so controlled that the bar will be moved in one direction at noon and in the other direction at midnight. and that this movement will be imparted to the marking device. The mechanisni may be employed with recording `mechanism of various kinds and the marking devices and the means for actuating the same may take various forms, that here shown being used for the purpose of illustration.

ln the particular embodiment of the invention here illustrated I have shown the same as applied to a time recorder comprisino' a fiat form which consists of a clocklike dial, l, and movable indicating devices and 3 corresponding to the hands of a clock and adapted to print on the record a mark indicating the hour and minute at which the record is taken. This form is carried by a frame or casino' Ll, which is arranged adjacent to, and preterably rigidly connected with, a trame 5 of a clock mechanism, a portion only of which is here shown. rlihe indicating devices 2 and 3 are carried by telescopiug shafts 6 and 7 which extend through the frame 1 and are connected With the clock mechanism in a Well knovvn manner. Cooperating With the form is a suitable device, such as a platen 8, by means of Which a record may taken from the form. The mechanism so far described is of a Well known character and as it forms no part of the present invention, aside from its coinbination vvith the A. M. and P. M. mechanism, it need not be illustrated, or described, in detail. As has been explained the A. M. and I). M. mechanisms may comprise either' one or tivo marking devices which are mounted for movement into and out of an operative position with relation to the form so that when a marking device is in printing position it Will make its mark upon the record when the impression is taken. In that form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 I have employed tvvo marking devices, 9 and 10, which are alternately movable into Operative relation to the form. In the present arrangement of the device these marking devices have movement transversely to the plane of the form and comprise printing type connected with, and preferably carried by, actuating bars 11 and 12, which are slidably mounted in the frame or casing l. Acting upon each of these bars is a spring 13 which tends to move the same in a direction which Will carry the marking device into its inoperative position, that is, will retract the same beyond the plane of the printing surface of the form so that it Will not be engaged by the platen When an impression is taken from the form. Suitable means are employed for imparting longitudinal movement to the actuating bars 11 and 12, which, in the present construction, have the marking devices rigidly secured to the ends thereof and constitute type carriers, and this means as here illustrated comprises a pair of cams, one for each bar, which are operatively connected with the clock mechanism and are so arranged that one cam will engage its bar, move the same against the tension of the spring and hold the same in that position for a period of twelve hours, and at the end of that period will release the bar to permit it to be retracted by its spring. Simultaneously with the retraction of the one bar the other bar Will be engaged by its cam and move against theV tension of its spring to carry its marking device into operative position, and will retain its marking device in such position for a period of twelve hours, at the end of Which the positions of the marking devices Will be again reversed, thus maintaining one or the other of the marking devices always in operative position. The cams for actuating the marl:- ing devices may be of any suitable character and arrangement. As here illustrated they are substantially semicircular in form, as shown at 14 and 15 in Fig. 3, and are secured to the face of a gear 1G which meshes With one of the gears of the clock mechanism. In the present instance the gear 1G meshes with the hour pinion 17, but it is immaterial with what part of the mechanism the gear 1G is connected so long as it is caused to make one complete revolution in twenty-four hours. rfhe gear 1G may be mounted in any suitable manner and located in any position which will properly accommodate it to the desired location of the marking devices. In the present construction it is carried by shaft 18 having bearing at its lower end in frame 11 and having bearing at its upper end in a bearing socket 19, which is screw-threaded into the frame member 5 of the bar.

A single cam may also be utilized for actuating the tivo bars and, as illustrated in Fig. Ll, this may be accomplished by arranging the tivo bars, there shown at 20 and 21, on diametrically opposite sides of the cam carrying device, or gear, 22, and forming the cam 23 of such length that as one end thereof releases the one bar the other end thereof will engage and actuate the other bar, the ends of the cam being, in this form as Well as in the other forms illustrated, beveled to facilitate the engagement and retraction of the bars.

As has been explained the device may, if desired, be utilized with a single marking device. In fact in many uses of the device the single marking device is preferable as it reduces the number of parte, the cost of production and the load imposed upon the clock mechanism, and the record produced thereby is equally definite and satisfactory. In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a form of the device employing a single marking device and have shown the actuating bar therefor at 2l. The cam 25, which is carried by the gear 26 is semicircular in shape so that the actuating bar will be moved in one direction at noon and in the other direction at midniht, thus causing it to make a mark upon the record during one half of the day and retaining the same in an inoperative position during the other half of the day.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that I have produced a device which is exceedingly simple both in construction and operation; which is positive and accurate in its operation; and which Will require very little power to operate it and hence will add but little to the load on the clock. Further, it will be apparent that the device requires no line adjustments, but that the length of movement of the actuating bars 11 and 12 may be regulated to bring the marking devices into proper relation to the form by adjusting the cam carrying device by means of the screwthreaded bearing 19. Further it will be apparent that the construction and arrangement of the device is such that it will opcrate with equal reliability and accuracy in any position in which it may be placed. The position illustrated in the drawings, in which the mechanism is placed in a vertical position with the form facing downward, 'being chosen ior the purpose of illustration only.

lNhile I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction as various modiiications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I-Iaving now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of an operative position adjacent to said forni, an actuating device connected with said marking device, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said actuating device and cause said marking device to be actuated in timed relation to the movement of said form.

2. rlhe combination with a recording` device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of operative position adjacent to said form, a reciprocatory bar connected with said marking device to actuate the same, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said bar and cause said marking device to be actuated in timed relation to the movement of said form.

3. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of operative position adjacent to said form, a reciprocatory bar connected with said marking device to actuate the same, and an elongated cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said bar and cause said marking` device to be actuated in timed relation to the movement of said torni, the length of said cam being such that said marking device will be retained in its adjusted position 'for a predetermined period of time.

et. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of an operative position adjacent to said form, an actuating member connected with said marking device to actuate the same, a spring tending to move said marking device into its inoperative position, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said actuating member to move said marking device into its operaive position and retain the same in said position for a predetermined period of time.

5. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable torni and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of an operative position adjacent to said form, an actuating member connected with said marking device, and a rotary cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and' arranged to act upon said actuating member to cause said marking device to be actuated in timed relation to the movement of said form.

6. The combination with a recording deiice, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of an operative position adjacent to said form, an actuating member connected with said marking device, a gear operatively connected with said clock mechanism, and a semicircular cam carried by saidV gear and arranged to engage said actuating member to cause said marking device to be actuated.

7 The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, ot' a plurality oiz marking devices movable into and out of operative positions adjacent to said form, a separate actuating device for each of said marking devices, and a device having cam surfaces arranged to act upon said actuating` members to cause said marking devices to be alternately moved into and out of their' operative posit-ions.

S. rlhe combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a plurality of marking devices movable into and out oi' operative positions adjacent te said form, actuating members connected with the respective marking devices, a rotary device operatively connected with said clock mechanism, and two semicircular cams carried by said rotary device and arranged in opposed relation and adapted to engage the respective actuating members and cause said marking devices to be moved alternately into and out of their operative positions.

9. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a reciprocatory bar mounted adjacent to said form for movement transversely thereof, a marking device carried by said bar and adapted to be moved into and out oit' operative position by the movement of said bar, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said bar to actuate the same and impart movement to said marking device.

10. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, ot a reciprocatory bar mounted adjacent to said form for movement transversely thereof, a marking device carried by said bar and adapted to be moved into and out of operative position by the movement of said bar, a spring acting on said bar to move said marking device into its inoperative position, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and arranged to engage said bar and move the same against the tension of said spring to move said marking device into its operative position.

11. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, ot a reciprocatory bar mounted adjacent to said t'orm for movement transversely thereof, a marking device carried by said bar and adapted to be moved into and out of operative position by the movement of said bar, a spring acting on said bar to move said marking device into its inoperative position, a gear rotatably mounted in a plane extending transversely to the line of movement of said bar, and a cam carried by said gear and arranged to engage said bar and actuate the same to impart movement to said marking device.

12. The combination with a recording device, comprising a. flat form adjustable to make different records, a supporting trame for said form, and clock mechanism arranged adjacent to said frame and operatively connected With said adjustable form, of a bar mounted in said frame tor length- Wise movement transversely to the plane ot said fiat form, a gear rotatably mounted near the end of said bar and connected With said clock mechanism, a semicircular cam carried by said gear and arranged to engage said bar and move the same in one direction,

and a spring connected with said bar and tending to move the same in the opposite direction.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a reciprccatory bar, a marking device carried by said bar and movable into and out of operative position by the reciprocation of said bar, a spring tending to move said bar in one direction, a gear mounted for rotation in a plane extending transversely to said bar near the end thereof, and an elongated cam carried by said gear and arranged to act upon said bar to impart movement thereto and hold the same in its adjusted position.

14. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of an operative position adjacent to said form, an actuating bar connected with said marking device to move the same into and out of its operative position, and means operatively connected with said clock mechanism and acting on said bar to impart movement thereto.

15. lIhe combination with a recording device comprising an adjustable form and clock mechanism to operate the saine, of a reciprocatory bar, a marking device carried by said bar, operating means connected with said clock mechanism and engaging said bar to move the same in one direction, and a spring acting upon said bar to move the same in the opposite direction.

16. The combination with a recording device, comprising an adjustable torni and clock mechanism to operate the same, of a marking device movable into and out of operative position adjacent to said form, and a cam operatively connected with said clock mechanism and acting on said marking device to impart movement thereto.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature hereto.

RICHARD HENRY CRONINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

